Galante name removed from stadium

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, November 6, 2008

Instead, members of the Board of Education decided this week to rename it Rebel Stadium -- the appellation of the school's sports teams.

"There was a growing sense of the public's desire to have the field renamed," said school board chairman Kim Hanson. "There was some question as to how appropriate it was to have the field named after an individual who unfortunately got into legal trouble."

The stadium was named Galante after town resident James Galante, who donated money and in-kind contributions for its construction.

Galante, who was convicted of racketeering and recently began serving a prison sentence of more than seven years, gave about $2 million to the school system, federal officials said.

While some residents thought it improper to have the name of a convicted felon on the stadium, others thought the name should stay.

Five school board members voted in favor of renaming it, and three members, including Ronald Lyons Sr., voted against it.

"It's named after the Galante family, not James Galante," Lyons said. "So maybe James isn't around, but the rest of the family is. They've been very involved in the community. Why punish the family?"

Lyons read into Thursday's meeting record a Nov. 1 letter signed "The Galante Family."

"I was saddened to hear that the subject of removing our family's name from the stadium had become an issue," the letters says.

It notes that Galante's wife, Roseanne, has worked with the Community Service Club for more than 20 years, has coached softball, and volunteered "endless hours" in the schools.

The letter also notes that the couple's daughter, Candace, has volunteered with several organizations, as well as school fundraisers, while son A.J. "helped ensure the Rebel hockey team thrived."

"We gave of ourselves with our heart, never asking or expecting our name to be put up," the letter continues. "This was never about a name on a scoreboard. This was about giving the children of New Fairfield a place to showcase their talent, in a place they could be proud of."

The letter adds that nothing -- including renaming the stadium -- "will change that fact."

First Selectman John Hodge said the situation is unfortunate, given how involved the Galante family has been in New Fairfield. "But having said that, I can understand why the Board of Education did what they did," he added.

Hanson said signs bearing the Galante name were removed from the stadium Friday.

Someone who answered the phone at the Galante home declined to comment on the board's decision.

Contact Dirk Perrefort at dperrefort@newstimes.com or at (203) 731-3358.